chrissystevo

Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody had any advice or opinions on cars when first arriving. Is it best to hire a car for a few weeks and then try and lease one or buy a second hand car? How much does it cost to lease? What are used car prices like?

Many thanks

juddy

I think you will find it impossible to lease a car, with out building up some kind of history here, say 3/4 months, of course you may salery package and you can do this straight off, as for hiring, iam sure the hire companys will do you a good deal, or just go out and buy a car.

Beachband

When I get to WA first thing is renting a car(no address as will be staying in a hotel) then finding somewhere to live with the rented car, once I have somewhere to live, then I can buy a car.
You can't buy a car unless you have an address.

Swerv-o

Leasing cars isn't like it is back in the UK, where you can arrange a 'contract hire' pay a montly fee and they do everything for you. Car leases are all factored into a salary package which your company may or may not offer.

I really didn't want to buy a car - a long term, say 2 year lease/contract hire would have suited me much more, but nobody seems to do them for personal/private use.


S

knockoff nige

Got a lease through work. As Swervo says, there wouldnt be too many companies willing to lease you a car unless you have a good credit history or through your company. Definitely prefer having a lease. Comes straight out of my wages and includes maintenance, insurance, rego, fuel and even a car wash. Just have to make up the kilometres on it. But I dont have to think about the cost of running it as thats already being paid for every pay day. Much cheaper than a car loan as well.

johnnyx0

Sure you can. Backpackers buy cars to travel with all the time. Not a problem.

sr71

When I worked out the lease payments on my car it was just a joke, much cheaper to buy privately and use finance. I really can't see the benefits of leasing.

I bought earlier this year when they seemed desperate and practically named my price and interest rate. Leasing would cost me $1700 per month, I now pay $600pm and will actually own the car. $1100 buys a lot of petrol, insurance and maintenance.

Deutschmaster

I can see the benefit of hiring a car on arrival. Everything is so far apart here in Melbourne it was a g*t having to take the bus to see and buy a car.

Still, buying was easy. Showed them my driving licence and proof of address and that was it. Paid cash so took car immediately.

Some people may prefer to have a car inspected which would perhaps mean a couple of visits to see a car. I bought a 94 Mazda 121 for $3,500 to give you an idea of costs. 2nd hand cars are more expensive here than in the UK. There's no annual MOT in Victoria, but I still pay to have it serviced and checked once a year. I don't mind the car being old and having 230,000km on the clock, but I definitely don't want to be driving a death trap.

Beachband

Dont you need a permanent address to buy a car?

Deutschmaster

Sometimes the seller lets the buyer use their address. I don't know how legal that is and how any driving infringements would get passed on to the buyer. But I've known backpackers to do that - sometimes even with an agreement that the seller will buy the vehicle back after a year or so and then find another person to sell it to.

It's probably quite illegal thinking about it.

johnnyx0

Nope, they just want a contact address, a hotel would be fine.

Beachband

But what about rego? and comprehensive insurance?
Wouldn't you need an address for those?

johnnyx0

Contact address is fine for rego. Just let them know as soon as you move into a permanent address, and in the meantime ask the hotel you're staying in to hold your mail for you.
Individual insurance companies may be a bit more picky. While I travelled around Oz I managed to get fully comp insurance, using a contact address which was my sister in laws address in Sydney. Loads of people actually live in guest-houses, hotels, motels etc, and so in theory it should all be ok to get insurance.
I sold my (WA registered) camper van to a German couple who gave "Melbourne Backpackers" as their address, and there were going to get RACV insurance and recovery cover and I don't think they had a problem.

knockoff nige

1700 a month is ridiculous. No way I'd pay it. I'm paying just over 600 for a new focus.

Beachband

Cheers for that johnnyx0 .
That is very interesting now!
I thought all along that I would have to have my own rental address etc to buy a car there.
This saves me on the idea now of - hotel - rent car - find apartment - buy car idea. I can just shoot straight from hotel - buy car - find apartment.
This is great.
Was only going to spend about 3k AUD on a car anyway, just something to get around in for about a year, so comprehensive insurance I will prob leave out as well as the car wont cost much.